head of strategy

About The Opportunity
The Head of Strategy is responsible for shaping and driving Austal's enterprise-wide strategic agenda across Defence and Commercial Maritime markets — encompassing shipbuilding, sustainment, and technology domains.

Reporting directly to the EVP Sales & Strategy, this role provides leadership in the formulation, integration, and execution of Austal's global growth strategy, ensuring alignment between corporate objectives, regional delivery centres and market-facing opportunities.

The position leads the identification of new market segments, technology partnerships, and business models to enhance Austal's competitive positioning and profitability, with a particular focus on the Indo-Pacific region and supporting home market exports through Austal Vietnam and Austal Philippines.

About Austal
Austal is Australia's global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor; and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world's leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. We're driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers.

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This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.

What's Involved

• Lead the development and execution of Austal Ltd's global corporate strategy, integrating Defence and Commercial business priorities with technology roadmaps and innovation pipelines.
• Drive strategic growth initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions, to strengthen market position and deliver long-term value
• Develop and maintain technology and product road maps, aligned to market trends, business development and sales needs.
• Collaborate with Finance and Business Winning teams to refine forecasting methodologies, ensuring accuracy of pWin assessments and revenue projections.
• Support corporate budgeting processes through provision of strategic assumptions and scenario analyses.
• Partner with Delivery Centres (Henderson, Vietnam and Philippines) and General Managers to ensure operational plans, resource models, and financial forecasts align with strategic objectives.
• Drive strategic alignment across Sales, Finance, and Engineering functions.
• Partner with Marketing to define Austal's strategic positioning in Defence and Commercial sectors.
• Represent Austal at key industry forums, trade shows, and strategic engagements to enhance brand visibility and thought leadership.

You'll Need
Essential

• Minimum 10 years' experience in Defence, Maritime, or Shipbuilding industries, ideally spanning both Commercial and Government markets.
• Proven experience in corporate or business strategy roles, working within an (ASX200, FTSE250 or Forbes listed business) with exposure to shipbuilding, sustainment, and/or technology-driven initiatives.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing growth strategies that integrate market intelligence, innovation, and operational capability.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to evaluate investment opportunities and strategic partnerships.

Desirable

• Strategic thinker with strong analytical capabilities, adept at identifying and leveraging dual-market opportunities and driving technological innovation.
• Experience in government contracting and complex project environments.
• Understanding of export control, compliance, and sovereign industrial capability frameworks.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and meet stringent deadlines while maintaining a focus on both market sectors and technology advancements.
• Strong ethical standards and commitment to integrity, prioritising compliance with all relevant regulations in defence, commercial markets, and technology development.
• Experience in a multinational or matrixed organisational structure.
• Experience in or good understanding of the Defence sector

Why Join Us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive and dynamic work environment.
• Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.

At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply.

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Careers at Austal Australia | Austal: Australia